autoevolution
 

Hot Hatchback Delight: 2016 Ford Fiesta ST200

Introduced at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Ford Fiesta ST is one of, if not the most glorified hot hatchback in the subcompact segment. Many peeps, including myself, adore it. The thing is, there’s a more powerful proposition on the horizon.
2016 Ford Fiesta ST200 10 photos
Photo: Ford
2016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST2002016 Ford Fiesta ST200
Compared to the 180 horsepower (182 PS) and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of the 1.6-liter EcoBoost lurking under the hood of the Ford Fiesta ST, the ultimate incarnation ups the ante to 197 horsepower (200 PS) and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm). When overboost kicks in, the engine churns out 212 horsepower (215 PS) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque for up to 15 seconds at a time.

The added muscle enables the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST200 to sprint to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. The 143 mph (230 km/h) is an impressive figure as well, but the detail that caught our attention the most is how the engine pulls from 50 to 100 km/h (31 to 82 mph). In fourth gear, it takes 5.2 seconds. Simply put, overtaking is a breeze for the Fiesta ST200.

Darren Palmer, small car vehicle line director at Ford of Europe, is chuffed to bits about the pocket rocket: “The Fiesta ST has been a hit with performance drivers because of its go-kart-like handling and powerful engine. The revised Fiesta ST200 chassis enhances composure and control, and improves passenger comfort as well.”

Under the exclusive Storm Grey paint job, the Fiesta ST200 doesn’t bring anything new as far as the cabin is concerned. Under the skin, however, revisions include sharper steering ratio (13.69:1), shortened steering arm, different steering knuckle, 27 percent more roll-stiffness from the rear twist-beam, an increase from 19 to 21 millimeters for the front anti-roll bar, and a larger tandem brake master cylinder.

With 10 percent more power, 20 percent more torque, and enhanced driving characteristics, the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST200 is a downright hoot that oozes fun from every pore. “We think it’s a future classic in the making,” declared Joe Bakaj, the vice president of product development at Ford of Europe. Good job, Ford!

In the United Kingdom, the Fiesta ST200 costs £22,745, which is almost five grand more than the Fiesta ST.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
press release
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories